Scott Borashttp://www.businessinsider.com/category/scott-boras
en-usFri, 09 Dec 2016 20:24:34 -0500Fri, 09 Dec 2016 20:24:34 -0500The latest news on Scott Boras from Business Insiderhttp://static3.businessinsider.com/assets/images/bilogo-250x36-wide-rev.pngBusiness Insiderhttp://www.businessinsider.com
http://www.businessinsider.com/ap-boras-says-labor-deal-will-turn-latin-players-from-baseball-2016-12Super agent Scott Boras says MLB's new labor deal will push Latin American athletes to other sportshttp://www.businessinsider.com/ap-boras-says-labor-deal-will-turn-latin-players-from-baseball-2016-12
Wed, 07 Dec 2016 17:04:00 -0500Ronald Blum
<p><img style="float:right;" src="http://static4.businessinsider.com/image/5848876dba6eb6b1018b8098-1367/ap540879687712.jpg" alt="Scott Boras" data-mce-source="Wilfredo Lee/AP" /></p><p>OXON HILL, Md. (AP) &mdash; Agent Scott Boras says baseball's new labor contract will cause Latin American players to turn away from the sport and play soccer.</p>
<p>The deal agreed to last week places limits on bonuses for players who reside outside the United States, Puerto Rico and Canada, restricting teams to signing pools that start at $4.75 million for the year starting next July 2.</p>
<p>Baseball's previous labor contract put signing pools on residents of the U.S., Puerto Rico and Canada who are subject to the amateur draft each June.</p>
<p>"Why are we as an industry saying that we're going to succumb to the other sports and not pursue best athletes?" Boras said Wednesday at the winter meetings.</p>
<p>"When we're making $10 billion, should we really build the Berlin Wall to youth? We just cut off the American players and limited them well below the NBA and the NFL, and now we're doing it with the Latin players, as well. We're cutting off our soil. Because now I would imagine FIFA is over in Venezuela, 'cause they've coveted South America, and they're building soccer fields as we speak in the Dominican and there because these athletes are going to turn to something that is better for them."</p><p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/ap-boras-says-labor-deal-will-turn-latin-players-from-baseball-2016-12#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> http://www.businessinsider.com/stephen-strasburg-contract-nationals-scott-boras-2016-5Stephen Strasburg's $175 million contract is mostly smoke and mirrors and is a brilliant ploy by super agent Scott Borashttp://www.businessinsider.com/stephen-strasburg-contract-nationals-scott-boras-2016-5
Fri, 13 May 2016 15:12:00 -0400Cork Gaines
<p><img style="float:right;" src="http://static4.businessinsider.com/image/5736210d91058427008c2c3c-1200-900/gettyimages-146523492.jpg" alt="Scott Boras" data-mce-source="Bob Levey/Getty Images" /></p><p>The Washington Nationals stunned the baseball world this week when it was announced that <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/stephen-strasburg-contract-tampa-bay-rays-2016-5" target="_blank">Stephen Strasburg had signed a 7-year, $175 million contract</a>.</p>
<p>It turns out the contract is not what it seems. While some questioned the timing for Strasburg, it is actually a huge win for the pitcher&nbsp;and a brilliant ploy by his agent, Scott Boras.</p>
<p><span>The deal&nbsp;was surprising&nbsp;because players represented by Boras rarely sign extensions while still under contract as he encourages them to wait until&nbsp;free agency to maximize their leverage and value. That is something that certainly would have happened here as Strasburg was viewed as the big prize in what is seen as a thin crop of free agents that will hit the market this winter.</span></p>
<p><span>In order to get Strasburg to sign the extension, the Nationals were forced to include an "unheard of" feature to the deal: two chances for Strasburg to opt out of the deal, either after the third or fourth years. And listening to Boras describe the deal, it sounds like Strasburg will never see the final three years&nbsp;of the contract.</span></p>
<p><span>Boras was a guest on <a href="http://espn.go.com/espnradio/podcast/archive?id=2386164" target="_blank">ESPN's "Baseball Tonight" podcast</a> where he was asked by Buster Olney about the importance of the double-opt-out and the Nationals' reaction when he proposed the structure.</span></p>
<p><span>"It's rather unheard of, so they certainly had to discuss it," Boras said. "I made them know that one of the points of light here was that we felt economically we could certainly do as well or better in the free-agent market and I think they were in agreement ... In the back of my mind, the rolling opt-out was very, very important."</span></p>
<p><span>The deal&nbsp;was also stunning because 7-year contracts for pitchers rarely work, and the Nationals were giving one&nbsp;to a pitcher who has already had Tommy John surgery and has been on the disabled list seven times in seven years. Amazingly, Boras actually used this to his advantage.</span></p>
<p><span>With so much missed time, Strasburg has not yet lived up to the potential he showed coming out of college as the No. 1 pick in the 2009 draft. By getting opt-outs in the deal, Boras is basically delaying Strasburg's free agency to give him a chance to reach that potential before signing a real monster contract.</span></p>
<p><span>Meanwhile, Boras is already looking forward to Strasburg opting out, something that sounds like a foregone conclusion.</span></p>
<p><span>"The goal that I foresaw was that Stephen Strasburg will be a <em>true</em> free agent once he has the innings and the performance record to illustrate to owners three or four years from now that he is the&nbsp;elite pitcher," Boras told Olney. "I think for me, how I define a negotiation is that there is a value for Stephen Strasburg in&nbsp;<em>potential</em> leverage and there is a much higher value for Stephen Strasburg at&nbsp;<em>star</em> leverage. And these next three or four seasons of Stephen's performance will place him in that star category."</span></p>
<p><span><img src="http://static2.businessinsider.com/image/573621c752bcd029008c2d08-3000-1500/490681669.jpg" alt="Stephen Strasburg" data-mce-source="Getty Images" /></span></p>
<p><span>In other words, Strasburg got the best of both worlds. He got long-term security in case his career does go south. But he also has the opportunity to not only become a free agent and sign a bigger deal, but he can choose when to do it, something players rarely get to do.</span></p>
<p><span>In the end, much is being made out of this so-called "$175 million contract," when in reality it is either a 3-year, $75 million or a 4-year, $100 million contract. More importantly, Strasburg will be a free agent when he is either 31 or 32 years old and still in the prime of his career.</span></p>
<p><span>Meanwhile, this contract only creates three options for the Nationals: They will either lose a good&nbsp;pitcher in 4-5 years, they will have to pony up an even bigger contract to keep him, or they are going to be on the hook for the last 3-4 years of the deal at $75-100 million for a pitcher who is not worth it.</span></p>
<p><span>None of those options sound ideal, and that's why people call Scott Boras a super agent.</span></p><p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/stephen-strasburg-contract-nationals-scott-boras-2016-5#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> <p>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/jesse-ventura-salutes-colin-kaepernick-nfl-2016-11">Why Jesse Ventura salutes Colin Kaeperkick for his national-anthem protest</a></p> http://www.businessinsider.com/matt-harvey-innings-limit-playoffs-2015-9Matt Harvey will be limited in the playoffs after the Mets went to war with super-agent Scott Borashttp://www.businessinsider.com/matt-harvey-innings-limit-playoffs-2015-9
Tue, 08 Sep 2015 14:38:44 -0400Scott Davis
<p><img style="float:right;" src="http://static4.businessinsider.com/image/55ef26c29dd7cc24008b8c40-1067-800/matt harvey.jpg" alt="matt harvey" data-mce-source="Mike Stobe/Getty" /></p><p>Just as things were <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/new-york-mets-offense-and-pitching-make-them-one-of-mlbs-scariest-teams-2015-8">rolling for the New York Mets</a>, the team hit a snag when they got into a spat with super-agent Scott Broas over star pitcher Matt Harvey's future.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/writer/jon-heyman/25290191/how-much-will-matt-harvey-pitch-innings-limit-debate-coming-to-a-head">During an interview with CBS's Jon Heyman</a>, Boras said&nbsp;that Harvey was given a doctor-imposed limit of 180 innings this season in his first year back from Tommy John surgery. With 166 innings already under his belt, that would mean Harvey had about two more starts left this season.</p>
<p>On the verge of their first playoff berth since 2006, Mets GM Sandy Alderson scoffed at the idea, saying the team may sit Harvey for a start to keep him fresh for the playoffs.</p>
<p>Alderson added that they weren't going to let Boras decide how the team would use Harvey.</p>
<p>Harvey then stepped&nbsp;into the drama when <a href="http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2015/09/06/new-york-mets-matt-harvey-scott-boras/">he was non-committal</a> about whether he would pitch in the playoffs, noting he generally agreed with Boras. The next day he&nbsp;<a href="http://www.theplayerstribune.com/matt-harvey-mets-playoffs/">announced via The Players Tribune</a> that he would indeed pitch in the postseason.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/08/sports/baseball/mets-propose-a-compromise-to-keep-matt-harvey-in-the-rotation.html?_r=0">According to Tim Rohan of the New York Times</a>, the Mets met with Harvey to outline a plan to keep him active, albeit less involved in the rotation. It still needs to be approved by Boras and Harvey's doctor, James Andrews, but the plan is for Harvey to make two or three more starts and then rest for the playoffs, where he'd surely pass the 180-innings limit.</p>
<p>Managing those innings will be difficult &mdash;&nbsp;<a href="http://espn.go.com/blog/buster-olney/insider/post?id=11131">as ESPN's Adam Rubin notes</a>, the remaining innings to Harvey's limit (which could go as high as 185) simply won't be enough for the regular season. This is all culminating at a dramatic time for the Mets. Harvey is set to pitch Tuesday night against the Nationals, the Mets divisional rivals who trail them by five games for first place.</p>
<p>After, Harvey would likely start in a series against the Yankees, and then one more time if needed in a season-concluding series against the Nationals again. Depending on how the Mets and Nationals fair over the remainder of the regular season, managing Harvey's innings could become complicated as the Mets either limit him to shorter outings (four, five, or six innings) or skip him in the rotation, giving him more rest, but risking letting him become rusty as the postseason begins.</p>
<p>Mets manager Terry Collins seems less interested in saving him for the postseason, saying, "You can talk about the postseason all you want. You have to get there."</p>
<p>The problem for Harvey is that at 26 years old, he will soon have the chance to cash in on a dominant career thus far. Harvey will be eligible for arbitration this offseason, so the risk of re-injuring his shoulder at a young age before his&nbsp;first big payday would understandably make him and his agent nervous.</p>
<p>Whether the Mets limit Harvey or simply rest him, there doesn't seem to be an easy solution. Resting Harvey could create a slip-up in a top-heavy Mets rotation,&nbsp;creating the possibility that they'll need him in the final series against the Nationals. It could also make him rusty heading into the postseason.</p>
<p>Starting him three times in limited innings almost surely means he'll go past his innings limit this season and into the postseason. While that's good for both sides now, it could have an impact further down the road.</p>
<p>Unfortunately for the Mets, this is a dark cloud hanging over them during their most intriguing, exciting season in a decade.</p><p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/matt-harvey-innings-limit-playoffs-2015-9#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> <p>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/adrenaline-junkies-scale-building-russia-daredevil-parkour-2015-8">This is nuts: Watch Russian adrenaline junkies perform daring tricks atop a 40-story building</a></p> http://www.businessinsider.com/scott-boras-tigers-max-scherzer-2014-3Agent Scott Boras Had The Perfect Response To The Tigers' Statement Slamming Their Star Pitcherhttp://www.businessinsider.com/scott-boras-tigers-max-scherzer-2014-3
Mon, 24 Mar 2014 12:29:00 -0400Cork Gaines
<p><img style="float:right;" src="http://static3.businessinsider.com/image/53305637eab8ea2927c7a6ca-480-/scott-boras-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Scott Boras" width="480" /></p><p>This weekend, the <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/detroit-tigers-max-scherzer-contract-2014-3">Tigers released a statement throwing Max Scherzer under the bus</a> and called off negotiations after he turned down a $144 million contract offer.</p>
<p>The statement placed the blame for the failed negotiations on the pitcher, calling their offer "a substantial, long-term contract extension offer...that would have placed him among the highest paid pitchers in baseball."</p>
<p>The problem with the Tigers' statement is that both sides likely made offers and Scherzer can say the same thing about the team.</p>
<p>Scherzer's agent, Scott Boras, did exactly that, and it was perfect.</p>
<p>In an <a href="http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/10658756/max-scherzer-rejects-offer-talks-tabled-detroit-tigers-say"><em>interview with ESPN.com</em></a>, Boras mocked the Tigers' statement with almost identical wording.</p>
<p><strong>"Max Scherzer made a substantial long-term contract extension offer to the Detroit Tigers that would have placed him among the highest-paid pitchers in baseball," Boras told ESPN.com. "And the offer was rejected by Detroit."</strong></p>
<p>Here is the exact wording used earlier by the Tigers:</p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;">"The Detroit Tigers have made a substantial, long-term contract extension offer to Max Scherzer that would have placed him among the highest paid pitchers in baseball, and the offer was rejected."</p>
<p>It is now almost certain that Scherzer will test the free agency market, something Boras typically encourages his clients to do.</p>
<p>If Scherzer does sign with another team, the only thing left for the Tigers is the PR battle and so far Scherzer is winning.</p><p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/scott-boras-tigers-max-scherzer-2014-3#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> http://www.businessinsider.com/jered-weaver-angels-contract-2011-8Angels Pitcher Jered Weaver Gave Up Tens Of Millions Of Dollars To Live In Southern Californiahttp://www.businessinsider.com/jered-weaver-angels-contract-2011-8
Wed, 24 Aug 2011 15:10:36 -0400Tony Manfred
<p><img style="float:right;" src="http://static1.businessinsider.com/image/4e1724e849e2aeb774110000/jered-weaver.jpg" border="0" alt="Jered Weaver" /></p><p>Why did <strong>Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim</strong> ace <strong>Jered Weaver</strong> sign <a href="http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-0824-angels-jered-weaver-20110824,0,847311.story">a five-year, $85 million contract extension</a> when he could have surely got over $100 million on the open market?</p>
<p>Simply put, he likes the team and he likes Southern California.</p>
<p>"How much more money do you need?" he asked yesterday.</p>
<p>Weaver would have been a free agent after next season.</p>
<p>He could have surely garnered something close to the six-year, $120 contract that the biggest free agent pitcher from last winter, <strong>Cliff Lee</strong>, got from the Phillies.</p>
<p>In addition, his agent is <strong><a class="hidden_link" href="http://www.businessinsider.com/blackboard/scott-boras">Scott Boras</a></strong>, who never settles for less.</p>
<p>But Weaver grew up in SoCal, went to college there, and ultimately gave the Angels a hometown discount.</p>
<p>"There comes a point in time when you do have to deal with the business side of things, but I don't think money had anything to do with my decision. I could have gotten more, whatever, who cares? I'm here, and that's all I care about."</p><p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/jered-weaver-angels-contract-2011-8#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> http://www.businessinsider.com/scott-boras-is-already-this-trade-deadlines-big-winner-2011-7Scott Boras Is Already This Trade Deadline's Big Winnerhttp://www.businessinsider.com/scott-boras-is-already-this-trade-deadlines-big-winner-2011-7
Mon, 18 Jul 2011 17:33:09 -0400Cork Gaines
<p><img style="float:right;" src="http://static6.businessinsider.com/image/4e1d9e96ccd1d574210a0000-275-206/francisco-rodriguez.jpg" border="0" alt="Francisco Rodriguez" width="275" height="206" /></p><p>No matter what happens, the rest of the season, the Mets and Brewers are already the deadline's big winners.</p>
<p>Over the weekend, it was announced that <a href="http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2011/07/francisco-rodriguez-waives-vesting-option.html">Francisco Rodriguez waived his $17.5 million option</a> for 2012 in exchange for $500 thousand.</p>
<p>In this case, everybody wins, especially <a class="hidden_link" href="http://www.businessinsider.com/blackboard/scott-boras">Scott Boras</a>...</p>
<p><strong><a class="hidden_link" href="http://www.businessinsider.com/blackboard/milwaukee-brewers">Milwaukee Brewers</a></strong></p>
<p>The Brewers added a four-time All-Star closer to their bullpen for a pair of middling prospects and very little addition to their payroll. Rodriguez is still owed $8.9 million this season ($4.9M in salary, $4.0M to buyout his 2010 option). Milwaukee will only be responsible for $2.9 million with the Mets paying the rest.</p>
<p>And by clearing up the option mess, the Brewers are free to use Rodriguez as a closer and don't have to worry about K-Rod being unhappy and <a href="http://articles.nydailynews.com/2010-08-11/sports/27072379_1_police-custody-clubhouse-paul-kinzer">choking anybody</a>.</p>
<p>In addition, now that it is guaranteed that Rodriguez will be a free agent after the season, the Brewers will likely receive two draft picks as compensation when he signs with a new team.</p>
<p><strong>New York Mets</strong></p>
<p>The Mets are <a href="http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2011/07/brewers-acquire-francisco-rodriguez.html">paying the Brewers $6 million</a> to take Rodriguez off their hands. But that pales in comparison to the $17.5 million they would have likely owed Rodriguez in 2012 if they were unable to trade him. In other words, this trade nets the Mets $11.5 million.</p>
<p>At this point, if they Mets get anything out of the two prospects (to be named later) in the deal, that will just be icing on Fred Wilpon's cake.</p>
<p><strong>Francisco Rodriguez</strong></p>
<p>On the surface it looks like a bad move for Rodriguez who is getting $4 million instead of $17.5 million. But he did get a free $500 thousand for giving up his option. And now Rodriguez will be a free agent where he will certainly find a deal at least as good as Rafael Soriano's three-year, $35 million contract signed this past winter.</p>
<p>And if Rodriguez makes $12 million in 2012 with his new contract, that, added to the $4 million buyout, is nearly as much as the original $17.5 million option. And it gives him the added benefit of one or two years of additional security.</p>
<p><strong>Scott Boras</strong></p>
<p>Boras is an agent that always wants his players to test the free agent market. And this time Boras has even more incentive to get his client out on the market.</p>
<p>Rodriguez only <a href="http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2011/07/francisco-rodriguez-hires-scott-boras.html">recently added Boras as his agent</a>. That means, if Rodriguez' $17.5 million option had kicked in, the commission would have gone to Rodriguez' old agent. But as a free agent, any new contract will see the commission go to Boras.</p>
<p>And that might make Boras the biggest winner of all.</p><p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/scott-boras-is-already-this-trade-deadlines-big-winner-2011-7#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> http://www.businessinsider.com/yankees-cano-hires-boras-2011-2The Steinbrenners Better Start Saving Their Money: Robinson Cano Just Hired Scott Borashttp://www.businessinsider.com/yankees-cano-hires-boras-2011-2
Fri, 04 Feb 2011 16:35:00 -0500Adam Fusfeld
<p><img style="float:right;" src="http://static3.businessinsider.com/image/4d0002474bd7c872160d0000/winter-meetings-scott-boras-mlb-agent-baseball-sports.jpg" border="0" alt="Winter Meetings Scott Boras MLB Agent Baseball Sports" /></p><p>In about a year or two, when the Yankees are in their next contract impasse, <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/jeter-saga-continues-yanks-say-the-shortstop-needs-reality-potion-2010-11">taking verbal shots</a> at a long time star through the NY tabloids in negotiations that garner coverage ad nauseam, remember today's date.</p>
<p>February 4, 2011.&nbsp;</p>
<p>That's the date Robinson Cano dumped his agent in favor of Scott Boras, <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/new-york/mlb/news/story?id=6090690">according to ESPN</a>. Sure, the Yankees have Cano under control for three more seasons (at a reasonable $39 million), but signed papers be damned, Boras always gets his way. And the Boras way is more money.&nbsp;</p>
<p>If Cano has another MVP-caliber season (he hit .319, with 29 HRs and 109 RBIs this season), Boras will start to grumble. And a grumble in Yankee Universe can quickly become a national earthquake thanks to the NY tabloids' unrelenting coverage.</p>
<p>As with every contract negotiation involving Boras, this one will inevitably be messy, and will leave the Yankees overpaying their star second baseman well into his late-30s. It's what makes Boras so good at his job, and what makes fans shudder at the very mention of his name. Even fans of the deep-pocketed Yankees.</p><p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/yankees-cano-hires-boras-2011-2#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> http://www.businessinsider.com/has-scott-boras-overplayed-his-hand-with-adrian-beltre-2010-12Has Scott Boras Overplayed His Hand With Adrian Beltre?http://www.businessinsider.com/has-scott-boras-overplayed-his-hand-with-adrian-beltre-2010-12
Wed, 22 Dec 2010 14:49:34 -0500Adam Fusfeld
<p><img style="float:right;" src="http://static2.businessinsider.com/image/4cc4e2feccd1d54a7d220000/adrian-beltre.jpg" border="0" alt="Adrian Beltre" /></p><p>We're nearing Christmas and all is quiet on free agent third-baseman Adrian Beltre's front. Interest in him appears muted at best thanks to <a href="http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-moreno-angels-20101218,0,2780030.story">his $90 million asking price</a>.</p>
<p>So confident was agent Scott Boras that his client will eventually get that contract, that he rejected two different five year deals that were valued <a href="http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2010/11/17/report-as-offer-adrian-beltre-a-five-year-64-million-deal/">at $64 million</a> and <a href="http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2010/12/18/angels-offer-to-beltre-worth-about-70-million-over-five-years/">$70 million</a>, respectively.</p>
<p>While it's certainly not too late for Boras to work his magic &ndash; client Mark Teixeira <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3790141">didn't sign his $180 million contract until Dec. 23</a> &ndash; it's difficult to identify a team out of which he can squeeze an extra $20 million. The Red Sox, Tigers, Mets, Cardinals, Phillies, Dodgers, and White Sox have all said they are at, or near, their spending limit. Meanwhile, other potential spenders including the Yankees, Blue Jays, Braves, Nationals, Orioles, Cubs, and Giants, have all committed to a third baseman for the upcoming season.</p>
<p>That leaves just one logical destination: the Angels. Problem is, they already offered a five-year $70 million deal that Boras rejected. <a href="http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/sports_blog/2010/12/angels-pull-offer-to-beltre-off-table-but-door-is-still-open-to-sign-third-baseman.html">The Halos publicly pulled the offer so that Boras couldn't shop it around</a>. That leaves only the A's five-year $65 million offer t<a href="http://articles.sfgate.com/2010-12-06/bay-area/25009584_1_land-free-agent-third-baseman-source-white-sox#ixzz17KJ84sYQ">hat was rescinded</a> after Boras scoffed at it more than a month ago.</p>
<p>Beltre and Boras have no real leverage. It would be pretty embarrassing for Boras to have to crawl back to the A's begging them for the money to save face.</p>
<p>But knowing Boras, that won't happen. The Angels need offense and Boras knows that his client is the last remaining offensive difference-maker on the market. It might take a "mystery team," or one of the other tricks up Boras's sleeve, but somehow he'll find a way to extract an extra $5 million out of owner Arte Moreno. Beltre will walk away with $75 million, and Boras will save face, even though he badly overestimated the market.</p><p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/has-scott-boras-overplayed-his-hand-with-adrian-beltre-2010-12#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> http://www.businessinsider.com/scott-borass-take-on-the-market-2010-12How To Interpret Scott Boras's Take On The Free Agent Markethttp://www.businessinsider.com/scott-borass-take-on-the-market-2010-12
Wed, 08 Dec 2010 18:13:00 -0500Adam Fusfeld
<p><img style="float:right;" src="http://static3.businessinsider.com/image/4d0002474bd7c872160d0000/winter-meetings-scott-boras-mlb-agent-baseball-sports.jpg" border="0" alt="Winter Meetings Scott Boras MLB Agent Baseball Sports" /></p><p>LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLA. &ndash; Here's a few items of note agent Scott Boras revealed <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/meet-the-most-popular-man-at-baseballs-winter-meetings-2010-12">while being cornered by the media today.</a></p>
<p>Keep in mind, everything the negotiating maven says should always be taken with a grain of salt.</p>
<ul>
<li>Power hitters are more coveted than ever before. Want proof? Boras points to the Adrian Gonzalez deal where the Sox surrendered highly touted prospects <em>and </em>$150 million to grab the slugger. It used to be teams only gave one or the other &ndash; never both. This is an obvious early attempt to stimulate the Prince Fielder market. </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Boras confirmed that the Pena deal was modeled after the deal he engineered for Adrian Beltre last year. Like Beltre, Pena signed a one year deal with a highly respected organization, and hopes to rebound in a major media market to ensure a long-term payday. He calls these "pillow contracts" because they are comfortable for both sides: his client gets a platform deal, and the team gets a high reward player on a low-risk contract.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Talk surrounding Rafael Soriano, <a href="http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2010/09/30/rafael-soriano-reportedly-hires-scott-boras-as-agent/">the closer who signed with Boras in September</a>, is so slow because teams don't want it known they are out seeking closers. Boras says that unlike with starters who have five rotation spots, or hitters who can usually be slotted in a clear opening, teams are reluctant to make their interest in available closers known for fear of messing with their current closer's psyche. After all, it's well known that <a href="http://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/sports/Closing-Ranks-High-Energy-Hijinks-from-Baseball-Closing-Pitchers-106126393.html">closers are unusual creatures</a>.</li>
</ul>
<p>While we buy what he's selling in that first point &ndash; we've already noted how a scarcity in power <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/suddenly-theres-no-stigma-attached-to-swinging-and-missing-2010-12">helped the Orioles overlook Mark Reynolds' 211 strikeouts</a> last season &ndash; the third point looks like a desperation play on behalf of Soriano.</p>
<p>Sure, Boras's points are reasonable, but it's not like teams are excitedly calling members of the media to tell them about their intentions, either.</p>
<p>Most of the information that makes its way into the public gets there because hard-working reporters with great connections uncover it. The fact that no one's uncovered anything with regards to Soriano indicates a lack of interest, not some special secrecy closers are afforded. After all, every free agent signing jeopardizes the job of <em>someone </em>within any given organization.</p><p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/scott-borass-take-on-the-market-2010-12#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> http://www.businessinsider.com/meet-the-most-popular-man-at-baseballs-winter-meetings-2010-12Meet The Most Popular Man At Baseball's Winter Meetingshttp://www.businessinsider.com/meet-the-most-popular-man-at-baseballs-winter-meetings-2010-12
Wed, 08 Dec 2010 15:05:00 -0500Adam Fusfeld
<p><img style="float:right;" src="http://static6.businessinsider.com/image/4cffe18accd1d53353020000/scott-boras-crowded-winter-meetings-mlb.jpg" border="0" alt="Scott Boras Crowded Winter Meetings MLB" /></p><p>LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLA. &ndash; When the Cubs' press conference announcing the Carlos Pena signing ended, a hoard of media members got on their horse and bolted out of the room.</p>
<p>No, they weren't reacting to a free buffet announcement at the Dolphin Resort. The press was following <strong>its most coveted subject &ndash; super-agent Scott Boras.</strong></p>
<p>Boras has been notably invisible all weekend. While other powerful agents &ndash; including Jim Lindell, a Cliff Lee representative &ndash; occasionally make lobby appearances, Boras has remained in his suite, and likely in those of general managers and executives from around baseball.</p>
<p>So despite having Tony La Russa and Jim Leyland available for questions in the media room, the press cornered Boras in the second floor lobby before he could escape to his room, and fired questions on all topics: chiefly regarding Prince Fielder and Adrian Beltre.</p>
<p><img src="http://static1.businessinsider.com/image/4cffe2084bd7c84d72060000/scott-boras-crowded-winter-meetings-mlb.jpg" border="0" alt="Scott Boras Crowded Winter Meetings MLB" width="300" height="225" /></p>
<p>Though he remained coy regarding negotiation specifics, the evasiveness did provide a few laughs. When asked about what kind of contract he expects for Prince Fielder, who is due for free agency next winter, he said, "Well, let's say there's been some attractive information about sluggers recently."</p>
<p>So much for Jayson Werth's contract being too unexpected to truly fluctuate the market. <strong><br /></strong></p>
<p><strong>Keep it on the <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/sportspage">Sports Page</a> for a few more of Boras's colorful comments.</strong></p><p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/meet-the-most-popular-man-at-baseballs-winter-meetings-2010-12#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> http://www.businessinsider.com/scott-boras-has-an-idea-for-generating-more-free-agent-spending-2010-11Scott Boras Has An Idea For Generating More Free Agent Spendinghttp://www.businessinsider.com/scott-boras-has-an-idea-for-generating-more-free-agent-spending-2010-11
Mon, 29 Nov 2010 10:39:28 -0500Adam Fusfeld
<p><img style="float:right;" src="http://static4.businessinsider.com/image/4cac7b1e7f8b9a9d2e300000/alex-rodriguez-baseball-boras-a-rod-agents.jpg" border="0" alt="Alex Rodriguez Baseball Boras A-Rod Agents" /></p><p>Scott Boras wants to change the way teams acquire players left off baseball teams' 40-man rosters, <a href="http://mlbbuzz.yardbarker.com/blog/mlbbuzz/something_to_think_about_from_scott_boras/3693400?new_post=true">FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal reports</a>.</p>
<p>In his vision, teams submit blind bids to acquire unprotected prospects. The highest bidder gets the player, unless his current team matches the bid.</p>
<p>This proposal would allow small market, prospect-rich teams to earn money they can direct towards free agency, while richer teams can shore up any farm system weaknesses.</p>
<p>Currently, unprotected players are subject to the Rule 5 draft, where a team pays $50,000 for any player it drafts and is required to keep that player on the big league club all season. Otherwise that player returns to his previous team.</p>
<p>Boras covets this system because he envisions the bidding will reallocate resources towards traditionally frugal franchises. That creates more demand for his clients and in turn boosts their earnings &ndash; and his commission.</p>
<p>It's actually a pretty intriguing idea. It would add a layer of excitement to the offseason for baseball junkies.&nbsp;</p>
<p>But its hard to believe that any team would leave a highly-coveted player unprotected. So while Boras foresees teams like the Rays earning millions for their prospects, it's more likely that teams post bids in the six-figures to acquire their second-tier players. And six figures is enough for about a week of the typical Boras client.</p>
<p>That's why he's probably better off sticking to his usual routine of <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/scott-boras-is-back-to-his-old-routine-comparing-his-client-to-hall-of-famers-2010-11">comparing clients to Hall of Famers</a> and&nbsp;<a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/baseball-agent-scott-borass-accused-of-giving-improper-loans-to-dominican-prospects-2010-11"> leveraging loans into future clients.</a></p><p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/scott-boras-has-an-idea-for-generating-more-free-agent-spending-2010-11#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p> http://www.businessinsider.com/scott-boras-is-back-to-his-old-routine-comparing-his-client-to-hall-of-famers-2010-11Scott Boras Is Back To His Old Routine Comparing His Client To Hall Of Famershttp://www.businessinsider.com/scott-boras-is-back-to-his-old-routine-comparing-his-client-to-hall-of-famers-2010-11
Fri, 12 Nov 2010 10:15:00 -0500Adam Fusfeld
<p><img style="float:right;" src="http://static3.businessinsider.com/image/4b4f753d0000000000a1cedf/scott-boras.jpg" border="0" alt="scott boras" /></p><p>It's that time of year again. Baseball super-agent Scott Boras <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/baseball-ignores-agreement-and-continues-free-agent-negotiation-through-media-2010-11">is telling anyone who will listen</a> that his free agent client is the greatest player of all time. Even greater than Boras's greatest player of all time from the year before.</p>
<p>Yesterday <a href="http://www.weei.com/sports/boston/this-just-in/2148701/boras-beltre-drawing-unprecedented-interest">he appeared on MLB Network Radio</a>, and said there was "unprecedented interest" in Adrian Beltre. He says no client of his ever attracted suitors the way the 31-year-old third-baseman with the .275 career average has.</p>
<p>The interest licensed Boras to equate Beltre to a trio of Hall of Famers, including three-time NL MVP Mike Schmidt.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Beltre happens to be a very good player, with a penchant for posting career years just as his contract expires. That's very convenient for Boras, who doesn't shy away from hyperbole in his pitch to teams.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Boras also praised Jayson Werth <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/baseball-ignores-agreement-and-continues-free-agent-negotiation-through-media-2010-11">again</a>. In a not-so-subtle appeal to the Red Sox, the agent compared his client to longtime Boston rightfielder Dwight Evans.</p><p><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/scott-boras-is-back-to-his-old-routine-comparing-his-client-to-hall-of-famers-2010-11#comments">Join the conversation about this story &#187;</a></p>